CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers Fan Fest practice saw the team in full pads, some solid performances on both sides of the ball and a touchdown scored by a 13-year-old at the conclusion of the workout.

• Head Coach Ron Rivera had the team in full pads for the practice
• The Panthers hosted 13-year-old Korben Senden for Fan Fest, who had his wish granted by the team to be a Carolina Panther
• Teams are limited to the number of full pad practices they can run throughout the season

Full Pads

The team will be off on Saturday and not practice again until Sunday afternoon, so Head Coach Ron Rivera had the team in full pads for the practice.  Rivera has said in the past that practicing in full pads is the only true way for players to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. Teams are limited to the number of full pad practices they can run throughout the season.

The Plays

Cam Newton and Greg Olsen got back into a familiar rhythm, connecting on a couple of passes downfield.  The fans in attendance certainly wouldn't mind seeing this happen often once the season begins.

Devin Funchess dazzled the crowd with an NBA-like move.  After completing a catch, Funchess swung the ball behind his back to change hands, enabling him to avoid a defender, and race upfield.

Newton scored on a short run during goal-line work.  Since it is pre-season, and everyone is working on aspects of their game, Newton raced to the stands, and handed the football off to a young fan.  Newton is already in mid-season form in the "football gifting" portion of his game.

Young Fan Touchdown

The Panthers hosted 13-year-old Korben Senden for Fan Fest.  Senden is from Eagle Ridge, Alaska, and was signed by the team prior to practice as a wide receiver.  Senden had his wish granted by the team to be a Carolina Panther, thanks to the team's partnership with Make-A-Wish.

Senden suffers from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease which causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick.

The newest Panther closed out the Fan fest practice by carrying in a handoff from Newton in short-yardage work.  once reaching the endzone, Newton scooped up Senden, carried him to the stands where Senden handed off the touchdown ball to a fan.

No doubt, Senden fits right in with the Carolina offense.